Konvict Kulture is a record label founded by Melvin Brown, Bu Thiam and R&B singer Akon in 2003 under the name Konvict Muzik.[3] Artists including T-Pain, Kat DeLuna, Mali Music, Red Café, Dolla, Ya Boy, and Costa Titch have signed to and released singles or albums by the label.[4][5] Heard at the beginning of many of the label's recordings, besides Akon's own production or songwriting contribution, is the sound of the clank of a jail cell, followed by Akon uttering "Konvict". In 2022, the label was rebranded into Konvict Kulture.[6] By 2011, Fotemah Mba was appointed Vice President of A&R for the label.[citation needed]
| Konvict Kulture | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2003 as Konvict Muzik 2022 Konvict Kulture (rebrand) |
| Founder | Melvin Brown Bu Thiam Akon |
| Distributor(s) | Vydia (2020–present)[1] Universal Motown Records (2005–2011) Universal Republic Records (2011–2014) Interscope Records (2006–2014)[2] Def Jam Recordings (2008–2014) Sony Music (Jive/RCA) (2005/2017) |
| Genre | Hip hop, R&B |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Official website | https://konvictkulture.com/ |
The label operated with another label founded by Akon in 2006, KonLive Distribution, whose flagship artist was Lady Gaga. KonLive was an imprint of Interscope Records, while Konvict Muzik was an imprint of Akon's label, Universal Motown Records prior to the launching of KonLive. In 2011, Akon signed Nigerian artists P-Square, Tuface, and Wizkid as representatives of the label in Africa.[7]
Background
editAkon started his own label after the success of his 2003 mixtape Akonvict.
KonLive Distribution
edit| KonLive Distribution | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parent company | Interscope-Geffen-A&M |
| Founded | 2006[8] |
| Founder | Akon |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Distributor(s) | Interscope-Geffen-A&M[9] |
| Genre | Pop, dance, R&B, hip hop |
| Country of origin | United States |
KonLive Distribution (or simply KonLive) was a record label founded in 2006 as a joint venture with Jimmy Iovine's Interscope Records, the label was to allow both parties to manage the career and recording catalogue of singer Lady Gaga.[10] Other notable acts signed to the label included Kardinal Offishall, Colby O'Donis, Brick & Lace, Mali Music, Natalia Kills, Jeffree Star, R. City, Ya Boy, and Verse Simmonds.[11][12]
Notable artists
editCurrent
editFormer Konvict Artists
edit- OG Boo Dirty
- Demarco
- Sarkodie
- Jonn Hart
- P-Square[7][14]
- Verse Simmonds[15]
- Bohagon
- Wizkid[7][14]
- Omega
- Cyhi the Prynce
- Billy Blue
- S. Fresh
- Lil Chris
- Lego
- Costa Titch (deceased)
- D Teck
- Dolla (deceased)
- French Montana
- T-Pain
- Jeffree Star
- JQT
- Red Cafe
- Sean Teezy
Former KonLive Artists
editDiscography
edit| Artist | Album | Album details | Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-Pain | Rappa Ternt Sanga |
|
|
| Akon | Konvicted |
|
|
| T-Pain | Epiphany |
|
|
| Brick & Lace | Love Is Wicked |
|
|
| Lady Gaga | The Fame |
|
|
| Kardinal Offishall | Not 4 Sale |
|
|
| Colby O'Donis | Colby O |
|
|
| Sway | The Signature LP |
|
|
| T-Pain | Thr33 Ringz |
|
|
| Akon | Freedom |
|
|
| Lady Gaga | The Fame Monster |
|
|
| Natalia Kills | Perfectionist |
|
|
| Lady Gaga | Born This Way |
|
|
| T-Pain | Revolver |
|
|
| Jeffree Star | Mr. Diva - EP |
|
|
References
edit- ^ www.vydia.com // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia // https://vydia.com/konvict-kulture-announces-partnership-with-vydia/ // Konvict Kulture and Vydia Announce Partnership // Vydia //.
{{cite web}}: Check|url=value (help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Akon Signs Ya Boy to Konvict Music". February 26, 2010.
- ^ Melvin Brown: Konvict Business Archived October 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Masuku, Brooklyn (February 8, 2023). "Costa Titch Announces Global Partnership Deal with Akon's label Konvict Kulture". Gagasi World. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Akon Signs Gospel Rapper Mali Music to Konvict Muzik". AllHipHop. November 1, 2011. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Preezy (October 30, 2022). "Akon Preps Partnership With TikTok, Afrobeat's Movement And The Rebirth Of Konvict Muzik". VIBE.com. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c Akon signs 2face, Wizkid and P-Square as Konvict Musik Representatives
- ^ "The Akon Empire". Billboard.
- ^ Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Not 4 Sale Archived April 25, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 23, 2023). "Lady Gaga's 'Just Dance' turns 15: Akon, RedOne on the hit that almost went to the Pussycat Dolls". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "KonLive Distribution". Discogs.
- ^ "Akon Signs Verse Simmonds to KonLive". MTV.[dead link]
- ^ Akon’s Konvict Kulture Unveils New Afrobeats Star, Amirror
- ^ a b Mgbolu, Charles (December 19, 2011). "Akon's label, Konvict signs Wizkid Psquare, Tuface!". Vanguard. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ "Konvict Muzik Artists". Archived from the original on August 15, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
- ^ "Akon Says He "Cashed Out" On Lady Gaga Before Her Decline". May 31, 2014. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2024.